The Power of Spirit
A commentary by
Howard Davis
Host of the Tomorrow TV program in Portland, Oregon
Great sports teams are driven by the power of attitude as much as they
are talent, sometimes providing upsets that stun the world. The power
of spirit contains the essence of success. It was center stage in the
famous victory of the U.S. hockey team over the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics
when a group of chutzpa-driven amateur hockey players drawn from universities
across America trounced the star team of the Soviet "Evil Empire" as
Ronald Reagan called it. It was pure spirit.
Amazingly, this happened when America had been hammered with hostages
in Iran, recession with interest rates of nearly 20 percent and unemployment
at a post-Depression high. For the United States, the victory was like
a breath of fresh air, a light at the end of the tunnel. Some say it
began a revival of the American spirit in the 1980s.
The power of spirit never stops surprising the world. Observers of basketball
have said the power of the coordinated team spirit, built from the ground
up by the coach of the Detroit Pistons, was what beat the star-studded,
ego-driven Los Angeles Lakers last month.
What is this power that can stir a young David to kill a giant single-handedly
in the spectators' glare of two armies? What kept a George Washington
resolute in midwinter, leading the daring but cold and hungry Americans
crossing the frozen Delaware, with only retreats and maneuvers behind
him, to score the stunning upset over the drunken Hessian soldiers on
Christmas morning?
What was it that drove Jesus to perform His marvelous service proving
He is the Christ, fasting 40 days and 40 nights, healing thousands, miraculously
turning water to wine and feeding thousands more, staying up all night
to pray, explaining the Kingdom of God, love, and sublime truths in a
Roman world of utter brutality, bigotry and spiritual blackness—truths
still not comprehended today?
All these deeds are done with the power of spirit, the power in a human
being when thought, feeling, motivation, attitude and action come together
to accomplish great things. In the hands of God, humans can attain great
feats of spirit, way beyond the comparisons of sport and human bravery.
"'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says
the Lord of Hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). God gave this stirring admonition
to Judean governor Zerrubabel to strengthen his attitude, conviction,
drive and commitment to rebuild the desolate temple in Jerusalem and
the restore the city. For us it gives us the message that without spirit,
and ultimately the far more powerful Spirit of God, man cannot achieve
the spectacular potential we as a race were designed to reach.
How does a man live by the power of spirit, 24/7? Well, that was the
great calling and purpose of Jesus Christ to show us by coming among
us nearly 2,000 years ago and why God is going to send Him to us again.
Man needs to learn to live by spirit—the Spirit of God—as
Christ did.
He said that He is the model. "Follow Me," He said. As a
whole, the human race has not, and doesn't want to any more than people
did when the Bible was written.
Never mind the human race didn't want anything to do with the power
of the spirit and killed Jesus Christ. The greatest of all great leaders,
He was ahead of His time. Fear of death was no obstacle to Christ, a
trait common to some great leaders.
But His time is yet coming when the Kingdom of God will demonstrate
the ultimate power of His Spirit.
Our time to learn the power of Spirit is now. For some of us, He is
building His team based on that Spirit, the same Spirit of mind, heart
and deeds that will transform humanity in the future age when man will
be motivated by dynamic Spirit power. It is a Spirit of excellence, knowledge,
wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing.
How to be given that Spirit is what the Kingdom of God is all about.
It's worth seeking. It is the essence of success forever. It contains
endless victory. And Jesus opened it up for those who truly obey His
command: "Follow me." |
